THE SMALLPOX SCARE

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1798, 10 July 1913, Page 5

THE SMALLPOX SCARE

SPREADS TO THE COUNTRY.

MEDICAL OPINION ON MAORI CHICKENPOX.

By Telegraph—Frees Association—Copyright Sydney, July 9. It looks as if the precautions to restrict tho smallpox to the Sydney area will prove unavailing. Three suspicious cases have been reported from three separate country centres. Tho authorities anticipate a spread of the disease, but no increase in its virulence. So far twenty-three thousand persons have been vaccinated, including the Lord Mayor and many members of Parliament. .The staffs of business firms aro being vaccinated wholesale. Dr. Paton, on tho strength of a New Zealand telegram, gives the opinion that tho epidemic among tho Maoris is similar to tho outbreak in Sydney. Ho said ho would not bo surprised to hear that a similar epidemic had obtained a footing in other' States, though the strictest precautions have been taken there. All mail matter is fumigated. The restrictions aro causing a great falling-off in inter-State traffic. (Rec. July 10, 1.20 a.m.) Sydney, July 9. Twelve fresh cases of smallpox and two contacta were quarantined to-day, making a total of sixty-three pa.ti(mts now in the hospital. Thirty-three thousand five hundred have now been vaccinated in. Sydney and tho suburbs, exclusive of 10,000 who have been treated privately.